6 Dental hygiene tips for smokers – How to protect your teeth and gums
Smoking has an adverse effect on oral health. Chain smokers are at a greater risk of having gum problems and complications post dental surgery in the mouth. Moreover, smokers don’t have a strong resistance to teeth and gum infections. It is therefore immensely important to take special care of their oral health.
What types of dental problems smokers can face
Chain smokers are likely to suffer from various kinds of dental problems. Some of them are:
- Tooth discoloration
- Bad mouth odor
- Higher chances of suffering from leukoplakia
- Greater probability of suffering from gum disease
- Higher risk of oral cancer
- Inflammation of salivary glands
- Likely to develop laque and tartar
- Longer healing process post tooth extraction
How is smoking connected to gum disease?
The main component of a cigarette is tobacco, which is detrimental for your dental health. It affects the attachment of the bone with the soft tissue of your teeth. Smoking disrupts the smooth functioning of gum tissue cells and makes people more prone to periodontal diseases. It also hinders blood flow to the gums, and that postpones healing.
How to protect your teeth when you smoke a lot
If you’re a chain smoker, then here are a few things you should do to stop teeth and gum issues.
1. Brush and floss:
If you don’t want to suffer from gum disease, then you have 2 options. The first option is, quit smoking. The second option is, take extra care of your teeth. You have to protect your teeth by all possible means.
Practice basic oral hygiene to keep your teeth and gums in a proper condition. Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day as it helps to keep your gums healthy. If you’re worried about the stains, then you can use a whitening toothpaste.
Flossing is as important as brushing as it eliminates plaque between your teeth. Make sure the thread hits the gum line so that it dispels all the food particles and plaque from your teeth and gums.
2. Skip teeth-staining foods:
Some foods and drinks are extremely acidic in nature. For instance, soda, coffee, curry, pasta sauce, and berries. These foods stain your teeth and corrode your enamel. Smokers should avoid these kinds of foods as much as possible.
It’s true that smokers shouldn’t drink coffee or berries. But there are several other things they can eat to remove tartar buildup and keep teeth clean. For instance, cheese and dairy products. Dentists say that these foods help to neutralize the acids inside the mouth. Acids directly lead to tartar.
So if smokers want to avoid it, then they must include dairy foods in their diet. Other than cheese, they should also eat leafy veggies since they are rich in calcium, vitamins, and minerals. These ingredients help to build enamel.
3. Use mouthwash:
Most smokers have bad breath after smoking. The best solution to this problem is to use a good mouthwash that helps to kill bad breathe and remove stains from your teeth. If you don’t want to use mouthwash, then use a good toothbrush to get rid of the stains from your teeth. Use a toothbrush that has stiff and strong bristles as they help to get rid of the hard stains easily.
4. Quit smoking:
Prevention is better than cure. Giving up smoking is the best step you can take to maintain good oral health. It helps you to avoid the perils of chewing tobacco and increase the probability of enjoying a healthy life. This is tough. I agree. But if you can do it, you can reduce the chances of suffering from dental problems by 50%.
If it’s not possible for you to give up smoking in spite of your best efforts, then at least try to smoke less.
5. See a dentist:
Consult a dentist to know how you can take care of your teeth and gums. Preventive care can help you to avoid gum disease in the future. And, if you’re already suffering from gum disease, then the dentist can suggest you gum disease treatment and other ways to get relief.
6. Monitor your dental health:
Check your teeth and gums on a regular basis. See if there are any red spots or swelling in your gums. Bleeding gums are also not a good sign. In such a situation, consult a dentist as soon as possible. He can take steps to solve your problem.
Conclusion
Drink lots of water to avoid having a dry mouth. Chew sugar-free gum to increase saliva production and reduce alcohol intake. Don’t raise your eyebrow just because you have been asked to reduce alcohol consumption. You have to sacrifice something to keep your teeth and gums in a healthy condition.
